Interview with Tumbler and Tipsy

q) Where do you live and work?

a)I live in a studio in Los Angeles, CA that I am currently working out of as well.

q) How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it?

a)I would describe my work as being very fashion forward and unique. I recycle and reconstruct vintage clothing to transform them into a completely new look. I mix the clothing with other garments to make new pieces of modern and contemporary art in fashion.

q) How did you start in the arts? How/when did you realize you were an artist?

a)I have been very interested in the arts and fashion since I was very a young kid. I started creating clothes when I was a teenager but didn’t realize it was more than just a hobby until I took time off from my professional figure skating career. Once I had time to pursue my passion in the arts I realized I had finally found my niche. It was just a really organic transition for me to make..

q) What are your favorite art materials and why?

a)I love working with vintage garments from the 1920’s all the through the 1980’s. I think each piece of clothing has its own history and that past needs to be revealed and told with a modern spin.

q) What/who influences you most?

a)The biggest inspiration for my collection has been travelling the world. My career as a professional figure skater has given me the opportunity to travel to over 40 countries and 600 cities worldwide. Experiencing so many cultures and traditions gave me a new prospective on fashion and art and through my collection I want to incorporate all of the things that I saw.

q) Describe a typical day of art making for you.

a)I like to start the day very early! I wake up at around 5:30 am and start working right away. I’ll work until about 10:30am and then take my first break which usually includes a snack and checking my email. After my break I get into a creative zone and will keep working until at least 5:30. I like to take my time and work at my own pace. I hate being rushed when I have a vision; a lot of my best art happens in the early in the morning or very late at night when I am not disturbed by the outside world.

q) Do you have goals, specific things you want to achieve with your art or in your career as an artist?

a)Yes! I have many goals and dreams that I will like to achieve and conquer. My first major goal is to make it into Vintage Fashion Week in Los Angeles so that I can really show what my collection is all about! I would love to be able to showcase my collections in major publications such as Vogue, W and other high fashion magazines. But my ultimate goal is to get the world to embrace a new genre of clothing that will help make the world a more friendly, less cluttered, place to live.

q) What contemporary artists or developments in art interest you?

a)I love contemporary, modern and pop artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Keith Haring, Salvador Dali, Picasso and Takashi Murakami.

q) How long does it typically take you to finish a piece?

a)Every garment that I reconstruct is different. One garment will take me a day and another will take me a week. It all depends on how much reconstruction is needed and what plus embellishments I am going to do.

q) Do you enjoy selling your pieces, or are you emotionally attached to them?

a)At first it was very hard to let them go! I definitely have an emotional attachment to my pieces but that is all part of the artistic process I think. However, the more I grow as an artist and designer the easier it has been to sell them. Now I’m at the point where I am just super excited to share my pieces with the world!

q) Is music important to you? If so, what are some things you're listening to now?

a)Music has always been super important to me! I love music! Right now I have been listening a lot to the Silversun Pickups, Muse, Chillout Sessions, Ladytron, The Faint and The Killers.

q) Books?

a)I just read a book by Budd Schulberg called, “What Makes Sammy Run?”.

q) What theories or beliefs do you have regarding creativity or the creative process?

a)I think to each their own! I really don’t have many beliefs on creativity because you cannot set limits on creativity! It needs to be explored and embellished and can take a few minutes or a lifetime. I don’t think there should be any limits or restrictions to creating art because that is what makes art so special and organic.

q) What do you do (or what do you enjoy doing) when you're not creating?

a)I love to travel, spend time with my friends, watch movies, and just enjoy life. I have a really great life and I try to live each day to the fullest.

q) Do you have any projects or shows coming up that you are particularly excited about?

a)I am very excited to debut this fall with my first in store collection which is debuting in August across the United States in select boutiques. I am also working on a new web series called “Producing A Star.” The concept of the show is to find the next big pop star like Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera and I will be the show’s stylist, so you will definitely see a lot of Tumbler and Tipsy.

q) Do you follow contemporary art scenes? If so, how? What websites, magazines, galleries do you prefer?

a) I am very involved with artists and art galleries in Los Angeles and New York City. When I use to travel, I tried to visit one art gallery a week in each city I was in. I love to collect art and have started to build a pretty decent collection. I find art fascinating so I am always on the lookout for new passionate artists.

q) Ask yourself a question you'd like to answer, and answer it.

a)

Question: What will I have for lunch today?

Answer: Sushi J

q) Any advice for aspiring artists?

a)If you have a passion in life, follow it. The passion inside you will drive you to success.

q) Where can we see more of your work online?

a)You can view more of my work online at www.TumblerandTipsy.com.